Having spent a lot of time in Russia. The viewpoints are just different. You have to understand that these players are coming across the world to play hockey. They leave behind their families and friends. To them, you can't just say...you should feel priveleged that you are getting to play this sport. He doesn't want to sit in some backyard place small town Hartford. He would rather go back home and be with his family.
Also - the thing is the guy is actually a skilled player. It seems that young Russian kids require a lot of positive reinforcement and coddling until you hope they eventually mature and turn into men. Kind of like Buchnevich who is a pretty good player now.
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